Chicago Fire - Forgiving, Relentless, Unconditional - Review

“Perhaps this loss is there to teach us not to take the ones we love for granted; to cherish the simple, mundane moments. To love others as fiercely, as bravely, and as compassionately as we can. And in that love – forgiving, relentless, unconditional love – you’ll find peace.”

The main fire this week hits close to home for Herrmann, literally. The team responds to a call in Herrmann’s childhood neighborhood. When a father runs out of a building and tells the firefighters that his son is still inside, Herrmann doesn’t hesitate to run in. He disobeys Chief’s order to pull back, which ultimately saves the baby’s life.

But something’s just not right about the fire…with the assistance of PD’s Burgess and Roman, the team discovers the father of the baby – now in critical condition – was a drug addict who started the fire. With the help of his old neighbors, Herrmann figures out where the father is hiding out (but doesn’t share it with the rest of the team). When shift is over, Herrmann pays a visit to a bar where the father is hiding out. He beats him badly but thankfully, Casey had followed Herrmann and pulled him off.

Herrmann is visibly irritated for the duration of the episode as he took the first call personally. He’s always worn his heart on his sleeve, so having him in the spotlight this week worked very well.

The baby takes a turn for the worse so Firehouse 51 goes to the hospital to wait. Now I know we’ve all given Casey a lot of grief this season, but one thing I’ve never questioned is how good of a man he is. Knowing the whole ordeal has really affected Herrmann, Casey calls Chaplain Orvlosky.

Things got even more emotional when the doctor comes out to tell the team the baby didn’t make it. It became a dark, heavy episode very quickly and while it was so sad, I’m so impressed with the writers. Sometimes, the people they pull out of burning buildings don’t make it. It’s a dark, depressing part of the job, but it’s something I think we needed to see.

Elsewhere…

Sylvie is avoiding Cruz, putting off the inevitable breakup. You know what’s sad? Sylvie is acting more broken-up and nervous about seeing Cruz than Dawson was with Casey, and they were engaged! I don’t understand it.

“He’s literally the nicest man in Chicago,” says Sylvie. Well, that’s debatable. But he’s definitely the most boring.

When Dawson said that she was in love but couldn’t make it work, I wished for the ability to reach through the TV screen and slap her. She could have made it work! But she chose her career over love. Now I’m not saying she should put a man above her dreams, but I don’t think that firefighting is her dream.

Cruz clearly knows that something’s up, and beats Sylvie to the breaking up punch. I had to laugh seeing Sylvie so surprised that she was the dumpee, not the dumper.

Well, I thought the Cruz/Sylvie storyline would be the lowest point of Chicago Fire, but I stand corrected. Otis, NO! Just no. Stop. That did not just happen. I’m hoping more than anything that Otis’ “love” for Sylvie is just a flash in the pan. The girl cannot go from one safe (boring) guy to another.

Mills’ sister appeared this week to talk to him about the estate of Grandpa Mills. No! I was really hoping we would see Grandpa Mills again. Peter’s moment with him was so emotional and moving – I’m sad we won’t get to see that relationship. Sweet Grandpa Mills left a restaurant to Peter and his sister, and she wants them to open it again. The only problem is that it’s in North Carolina.

Peter is hesitant to move (thank goodness), and receiving his medical results – all clear – seal the deal. He’s cleared for Squad! I have mixed feelings. I’ve really enjoyed seeing his as a paramedic because one, he’s awesome at it and two, he and Sylvie make an excellent team. But, if this somehow clears the way for Dawson to move back to paramedic duty, I’m on board. Oh! What if Peter doesn’t resume Squad duty, as his spot is currently occupied, but instead takes a spot on Truck, which leads to Dawson moving back to paramedic duties? Yes. I like it.

It’s a big happy reunion for Rice, April, and Severide…kind of. These three definitely have a history, I just don’t know if I care yet. After two episodes of Rice, I’m still not feeling it. April, however, I do like a bit more this week than I did last week. I don’t see any romantic chemistry between her and Severide, but I do see platonic chemistry. These two apparently had a strong friendship at one point, and I think it could still be there. But again, I just don’t know if I care yet.

I’m more interested in why Severide had to stay with a family other than his own rather than what happened when he stayed with April’s family. I want to like her, guys. I really do. But I’m just not interested.

I think back to when Voight was first introduced on Fire, followed soon by Antonio. I was captivated by those characters immediately! Then we saw the introduction of Halstead (remember his undercover scare and relationship with Gabby?) and Erin Lindsay. Again, captivating introductions. Those characters made me want to watch Chicago PD before Chicago PD ever had its pilot episode. I can’t say the same for Chicago Med.

Fire is on hiatus for a few weeks, but don’t miss the upcoming backdoor pilot for Chicago Med on April 7 (I believe). They’ll be pulling from both existing Chicago shows, as we’ll see April join Dr. Halstead (that’s right, there’s another Halstead!) in the potential spinoff.


What did you think of the episode? Should April and Rice stick around? Will Mills rejoin Squad?

About the Author - Meghan Reynolds

A Colorado native, Meghan was born a raised a Denver Broncos fan. Aside from football, she loves storytelling, whether it be movies, television, books, or music. Some of her favorite shows of the past and present include LOST, Friends, The Office, Scandal, Chicago PD, and Chicago Fire. She is excited to be reviewing two of those shows for SpoilerTV, Chicago PD and Chicago Fire.